Amid swirling rumors of a Sears campaign meltdown, former Republican Delegate Dave LaRock confirmed he is “exploring” a run for Governor of Virginia, spurred by a “pretty good grassroots push” to get him in the race. This comes just one day after former Virginia Trump Campaign Chair John Fredericks said that the Sears campaign had axed its strategy firm, Poolhouse—the same firm behind Glenn Youngkin in 2021—and replaced them with Coldspark, the media firm behind Nikki Haley’s failed presidential bid.

“It’s evident that Republicans are not excited about Winsome Earle-Sears’ campaign, as it unravels into infighting and dysfunction,” DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker said. “With every new shakeup, Sears makes it clear that her campaign is a chaotic free-for-all and has taken on enormous water. Virginians deserve more than a race to the bottom; they deserve a governor that is focused on progress, not extremism.”